Bravery, commitment and selflessness were celebrated with the presentation of the sixth annual Valor Awards on Tuesday.
Hosted by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, the awards ceremony recognized first responders in fire, police and emergency services.
Awards included the Valor Award, recognizing the heroism of a public safety who risks death or bodily harm; the Lifesaving Award, recognizing service in life-threatening situations; and the Award of Merit, recognizing outstanding public safety work.
The breakfast ceremony was sold out with almost 400 people attending at 7:30 a.m. at Manna Church.
But because duty calls, several first responders were summoned on emergency calls without fanfare. Their seats were left empty, which served as a reminder of why the awards are important. As the missing responders were putting out fires, responding to medical emergencies and keeping order in the community, their colleagues accepted awards on their behalf.
“Seeing the nominations, it became abundantly clear just how many heroes live amongst us, selflessly keeping our communities safe. Pausing to thank them while sharing their stories at the ceremony is the least we can do,” said Lynnie Guzman, who has chaired the awards presentation for the last two years.
Emcee Don Chase, a morning radio host on WKML, called each first responder to the stage to accept awards. Those recognized represent the Fayetteville Police and Fire departments, Spring Lake Police Department, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies across Cumberland County.
A young Army wife, Fayetteville police Officer Kristin Parkinson, received two awards. The 27-year-old was presented a Valor award recognizing exceptional courage and presence of mind when she helped a man who was having suicidal thoughts and holding a gun to his head. She persuaded him to place the gun on the coffee table in front of him and allow officers to transfer him to get mental health services.
Parkinson also received an award for swimming into the Cape Fear River to help a man who had jumped off a bridge. She and five co-workers worked to save the man’s life at great risk to themselves.
Parkinson, who has been with the Police Department for four years, said it is what she signed up to do. She was all smiles with her co-workers as they held their awards.
“It’s part of the job, and I would do anything for anybody. I appreciate being recognized, and I appreciate being able to do this job for the community,” she said.
Officer Joshua Wolford of the Fayetteville Police Department was honored with a lifesaving award after he and his partner, Officer Mathew McDonald, responded to reports of a shooting. Wolford discovered a woman who had multiple gunshot wounds. He and McDonald applied tourniquets and were instrumental in helping save her life.
“Honestly, we’ve been trained that we might have to go into situations like that, and instinct just takes over,” Wolford said. “My mindsight was just to help her live. I didn’t expect this award today.”
His wife, Mia, sat next to him holding their infant.
“I’m proud of him and what he does,” said Mia Wolford.
District Court Judge Lou Olivera received a merit award along with Staff Sgt. Keith Bates and Deputy Leon Johnson for saving a life in the courtroom.
A Cumberland County Emergency Services unit and the Westarea Fire Department were honored for responding when a school bus rolled over on a two-lane road. More than 20 students were transported to the hospital.
Officers Marquis Shivers and Valeria Popravko helped save two adults and their four children ages 4 and younger from an active shooter.
Spring Lake Fire Chief Jason Williams, who also serves as interim town manager, was given the Bass Air People’s Choice Award, which is presented from nominations by the public. According to his nomination, Williams has balanced both positions since October 2022. During his time as fire chief, he oversaw construction of a second Spring Lake fire station and acquired two additional fire trucks that have helped cut response time in Spring Lake and Manchester areas from nine minutes to under three minutes.
A Hall of Fame award was given to retired Fire Chief Duke J. Piner of the Fayetteville Fire Department. Piner has served for more than 30 years promoting public safety in Cumberland County.
Fayetteville Fire Chief Michael Hill was awarded the Freddy L. Johnson Sr. Leadership Award for his leadership in Fayetteville and Wade and with the North Carolina Fire Service. His department also won several awards.
“To me, these awards are acknowledgment for the great work our men and women of the Fayetteville Fire Department do. Their performance amazes me daily. All the credit goes to them,” said Hill.
Fort Liberty’s garrison commander, Col. John Wilcox, presented awards to emergency service workers on base.
“The Fort Liberty Fire and Emergency Services are incredibly proud to be a part of the greater first-responder community here in the Cumberland County area,” Wilcox said. “It’s always an honor to come to this because of the heroics that are displayed on a regular basis by all of our first responders. But, of course, it’s always nice to see our Fort Liberty first responders recognized. I’m always impressed by the caliber of people that sign up and are the first line of defense in our community.”
Greater Fayetteville Chamber President and CEO Nat Robertson welcomed the room full of civic and business leaders.
“These brave men and women are who are rushing toward danger as the rest of us run away from it, and they deserve to be recognized,” Robertson said.
